Lakewood’s Peterson commits to Central Washington

Lakewood’s Justin Peterson went on his official visit to Central Washington University this past weekend and liked what he saw.

After getting home Sunday night, the quarterback/wide receiver/running back called the Central coaches to inform them that he wanted to be a Wildcat.

“It was a really good visit,” Peterson said. “When I first got there they were my No. 1 (school). The coaches were just super nice. They’re really welcoming and care about me.”

Peterson, who chose Central over other schools such as the University of Redlands (California) and the University of Puget Sound, was recruited as a wide receiver.

Last season, Peterson was so versatile The Herald prep writers began calling an athlete with a passing, rushing and receiving touchdown in the same game a “Justin Peterson.” Only one athlete accomplished the feat all season.

“They liked me as receiver and I love receiver so it works out perfectly,” Peterson said.

He will likely redshirt his freshman year, a custom for freshmen at Central.

As a senior Peterson helped lead Lakewood to the playoffs, where the Cougars fell to Capital 47-36 in the first round. He was also chosen to Team Washington for the Tanoa Bowl on Dec. 29, which pits some of the top athletes from Alaska, Washington, Oregon and Utah in exhibition games against each other.

At Central, Peterson will be reunited with an old friend, former Lakewood quarterback Justin Lane who just transferred from Illinois State. Lane sent Peterson a text message urging him to be a Wildcat.